November 2014

11/29/2014

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by Kimba@ the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimba's for details and to link up!

First of all, I hope all of you in the U.S. had a Happy Thanksgiving. I know it is the kick off of the stressful holiday season, but I hope you took the time to stay home and enjoy some time with family and friends and reflect on all that you have to be thankful for. I know we enjoyed our quiet holiday, and that we were especially grateful that Matues has made a full recovery! We spent a quiet weekend at home shopping online, eating, watching football and doing holiday decorating.

11/28/2014

I hope you are reading this post from the warm confines of your home with a full belly. We celebrated Thanksgiving here in the U.S. yesterday and today is traditionally the big kick off of the holiday season, though I think the magic is gone. Retailers have been shoving Black Friday sales down our throats since the beginning of the month and a majority of the stores were open on Thanksgiving, which used to never happen. I am totally against taking away the one day a year when everyone is supposed to eat a meal together and stay home. I for one won't be out shopping, I will do my shopping online! Speaking of shopping, are you looking for some books for gifts? I have some suggestions with next week's new releases. Let me know your picks and tell me about your weather. (Click on covers for details).

Forecast November 30th-December 6th

Lots of mysteries releasing next week. A good cozy mystery is perfect for snuggling up cozy and warm while it storms outside. What are your picks for the week?

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 46 L 37 Showers Sunday: H42 L 35 Showers

Cold and wet, perfect for staying inside with a good book! Have a terrific weekend!

11/27/2014

Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney's social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she's made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.

Max knows about feeling lost and trying to move beyond the pain he's been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it's time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney's the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything because the more time he spends with Courtney, the harder it is to reconcile what he wants and what he thinks he deserves.

It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that's ever been broken, there's another that can make it complete.

Three and a half stars: A bit too much drama, but still a nice romance.

Max is used to working hard and getting kicked in the teeth. Life has never been easy for him, but he picks himself up and dusts off time and time again. The last thing he is expecting when Courtney moves in is to fall in love with yet another roommate, but Courtney fills in that hole in his heart. Soon they are fast friends, but they both are denying their attraction. Will Max at last find love?

What I Liked:

This the third and final book in the 2B Trilogy by Ann Aguirre. Overall, I found this series highly addictive and enjoyed my journey. While this final book was a touch more dramatic than I would have liked, I still enjoyed my time with Max, Courtney and the rest of the gang. In fact, I am hoping that Ms. Aguirre will consider another book featuring Angus. I appreciate that this NA series is lighter and not full of over the top angst and drama.

Max is a character who tears at your heart strings. He is a character that has been floating around the edges of the previous two books, but you don't really have an idea of who he is until you read this book and peel back the layers. How I loved him when I learned the truth about his past and how hard he is fighting to overcome his baggage and make something of himself. In spite of everything, he has the biggest heart and he doesn't hesitate to go to blows for those he loves. I loved him.

I liked that this book took time to explore Max's history and that he found forgiveness and redemption from his family. The reunion with his younger brother was especially touching. I was rooting so hard for Max after he went home and faced his demons.

The romance is filled with plenty of tension and heat, and I appreciated that it took the time to develop from a friendship. It moves at a realistic pace, and once it explodes it is the steamiest of the bunch.

Once again, this can be read out of order or as a stand alone, but this one does have a sweet Epilogue at the end that catches you up on the gang. I loved getting a peek at all the characters down the road and seeing how everything turned out, but I couldn't help but feel like I wanted more as I found that I was totally addicted to this series.

And The Not So Much:

Courtney was a character that was a bit hard to relate to. She is entirely different from Nadia and Lauren. She is supposedly bisexual, but I wasn't convinced that she truly was bi. She had one relationship with a girl that turned out badly, and I wondered if she was exploring and trying to prove something to her parents. Her sexuality isn't an issue because this is really a straight forward boy/girl romance.

Ugh.... this book also featured a big dramatic stumbling block toward the end. I didn't like that all three books in this series established romances and things were going along great and then a big problem comes in. The issues Max and Lauren faced was frustrating because it was handled immaturely and it was nothing more than miscommunication. If they had taken the time to talk things through....

The sex scenes in this one strayed into the TMI territory. I didn't like reading scenes with masturbation and such. It was a bit over the top for me.

The Shape of My Heart is a satisfying ending to an addictive, not overly dramatic NA trilogy. I loved all the characters and the romances, and I especially liked the Epilogue in this one. Overall, this is a solid NA series for those of you who like your NA a bit on the lighter side. I hope that Ms. Aguirre revisits these characters down the road because I can't help but to want for more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

11/26/2014

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. She has her reasons; missing her family, losing her college scholarship. But then there's the reason Lauren can't admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend's older brother.

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He's the guy who women love and leave, not the one who makes them think of forever;until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her.

Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published September 30th 2014 by Harlequin HQNSource: Publisher

Four Stars: A heartfelt, slow burning romance with lots of feels.

Lauren is relieved to be back home in Sharon, Nebraska. Even though she knows the town is whispering about the fact that she dropped out of school and returned to this small, podunk town, Lauren could care less. Yes, she lost her scholarship, drank too much and almost screwed up her life, but for once in her life, Lauren feels comfortable. She has a plan to enroll in online college courses and get a job. What isn't a part of her plan is to start crushing on her long time, childhood crush Rob, who just so happens to be her best friend Nadia's big brother. When Rob enlists Lauren to help with his house remodeling project, their attraction becomes undeniable. Can Lauren go home and find love?

What I Liked:

This is the way more NA books should be. This is a beautiful, heartfelt romance that is slow moving and lovely. There are so many great feel good moments in this one, and not a lot of drama. I loved that this one was realistic. If you want a fabulous NA on the light and fluffy side, this is the one to read.

The romance was just perfect. It is born between a long time attraction between two life long friends. Lauren crushed on Rob for years as he was the gorgeous, high school star football player, but the problem was he was her best friend's older brother so Rob saw Lauren as a kid sister. As the two come back together, they reestablish their friendship and then the sparks fly. I loved how slow moving this one was. There was no insta love or hurried sex scenes, it takes its sweet time to build. It was just what I was hoping for. I especially enjoyed when the two revealed how they felt about it each other through the years. So adorable.

Lauren and Rob are fabulous characters. I liked that they both battled with some self esteem issues, but together they reach for their goals and become their best selves. Rob is a true gentleman, kind and caring. I liked how he always took into consideration other people's feelings, and how he did his best to do the right thing when it came to his ex girlfriend. I also appreciated that even though he was the popular athlete in high school, that he struggled with his confidence. It isn't until Lauren comes along that he starts to believe himself. Lauren has her own issues. She suffers from social anxiety and depression. I liked seeing how she worked through her problems. I also loved how even though she dropped out of college, she didn't slink home in shame. Instead she sets new goals and fashions a plan for her life. Both of these characters are likable and easy to relate to.

One of the highlights for me was when Lauren decides to friend Rob's ex girlfriend, the town mean girl. Even though the friendship gets off to a rocky start (they have a food tussle in the convenience store), the two girls end up becoming close friends, to the point where they are able to share deep dark secrets. I loved how mature Lauren was and how she reached out.

This is book two in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone since it is a companion novel. You get a complete story with no loose ends. I love that about this series.

And The Not So Much:

I appreciated that this book for the most part steered away from the overly dramatic tropes that we are so familiar with in NA, however, there was one sticky point for me and that was the fact that just when the romance takes off and everything is going great, there is this big dramatic stumble that irritated me. I hated that the characters decided to be stupid and act immaturely. There was a similar situation in the first book, and I am not a fan of throwing in one last hurdle toward the end.

I was expecting a little more from Nadia considering that she practically abandoned Lauren while they were at college and that she had never fully reached out and repaired the damage in her relationship with Rob. Unfortunately, Nadia only makes brief appearances. She does fix things with Lauren, but I wanted more from her when it comes to Rob.

I thought there would be a bit more focus on Nadia and Rob's father and his illness. It is mentioned, but I was hoping for more detail. Even though I was happy that Rob reached for his dream, I was left wondering how he could abandon his parents like that.

As Long As You Love Me was a sweet, feel good romance that avoids the drama and angst associated with NA. This book has realistic characters tackling real life problems. I loved the romance, the story and the friendships. At the end, I had a big smile on my face. If you are in the mood for a terrific romance, grab this one.

Favorite Quotations:

"Sometimes I hated my brain and would happily trade if for a beard of bees."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

11/25/2014

Welcome to Tell Me Something Tuesday. A weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

Before we get to this week's post, I just wanted to thank you all for visiting my blog last week. If you missed my Sunday Post, we had a family emergency when Mateus got sick and struggled to breath. He ended up in the hospital for four days and three nights. He had some type of respiratory virus, possibly even the enterovirus. Thankfully, he is on the mend and we are getting back to normal. I am way behind but working to catch up!

This week's discussion:

If you the middle book in a trilogy suffers from middle book syndrome how likely are you to continue the series?

This week's discussion pairs well with last week's question where I discussed my all time favorite trilogies. I think many of us have discovered through trial and error that trilogies are tricky. Far too many trilogies start off with an amazing first book only to languish with a lackluster second book, which is referred to as middle book syndrome. This occurs when the middle book fails to live up to expectations. Whether it be a romance that flounders, a dreaded cliffhanger or little movement with the plot. There are many reasons why book earns that dreaded middle book syndrome label. When that second book fails to amaze you, are you likely to push ahead and finish the series or forget about it?

Luckily for me, I seem to have no problems with abandoning a series, even though I rarely quit reading a book once I have started, I can easily give up on a series if a book fails to meet my expectations. In fact, I have abandoned so many trilogies and series that I can no longer keep track. It is easier to name the series or trilogies I complete than to list the ones I start.

Reading is supposed to be enjoyable, and I have learned that it isn't worth pushing through a series if I am not happy. Annoying love triangle? No thanks. Cliffhanger? Forget it. Same old same old? I want something original. Time to drop the trilogy and move on.

Now there have been occasions where I was a huge fan of the first book, but the second book was just okay, and in those instances, I will push ahead, but more often than not, it means when I get around to it, which could be months after the release. I can think of a number of trilogies where I want to read the final book, but still haven't gotten to it, mostly because the middle book didn't excite me, but I am still invested enough to continue.

So bottom line, in my opinion, the middle book syndrome is often a death toll for a series. I think far too many readers don't have time to invest in a series that isn't going to be impressive from beginning to end.

It is terrific when a trilogy passes the first and second book hurdle and is still amazing, but then you have the finale, and that is still a whole other conundrum, but that is a topic for another day.

So share your thoughts, is a middle book fail enough to put you off on a series or will you push through anyway?

Next week's question:

2014 has been a year of series conclusions. What were some of your favorite end books?

11/24/2014

Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….

Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.

The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by Harlequin HQNSource: Publisher

Three and a half stars: A good romance that fails to charter new territory in the NA genre.

The first time Nadia spots Ty, her downstairs neighbor, sparks fly. As Nadia settles into her new apartment, she begins enjoying sitting outside on her balcony and chatting with Ty below. Even though there is an attraction, Ty keeps pushing her away. Is it because of his four year old son, or is it something more? Can Nadia find love?

What I Liked:

For those of you who are a little burned out on the heavy, dramatic NA reads, I Want It That Way is a bit on the lighter side. Yes, you have two twenty some year olds grappling as they find their footing in the adult world, and some baggage from the past, but nothing that is going to kick you in the gut and tear your heart out. So if you are looking for a NA a bit on the lighter side, this is a good bet.

The romance is slow building and realistic. It starts with an immediate attraction, but it doesn't move too rapidly. It takes its time to build and then it explodes. However there are some big obstacles and a few stumbling blocks to overcome before it gets to a satisfying finale.

Nadia is easy to identify with and likable. At twenty one, she is responsible and working hard to achieve her goals. She takes her job and her college education seriously, and she isn't out partying and drinking. Nadia has a hefty load and she handles it well. Even when there is a big wrench thrown in her path, she doesn't wield, she finds a way to make it work. I admired her work ethic and her determination, and I found it easy to cheer for her. I also appreciated that she wasn't carrying around loads of baggage. I especially liked the way she was willing to take on Ty's young son.

I appreciated that the story took time to explore the college experience from someone who is responsible and dedicated.

Even though I had some issues with Ty, I appreciated that he always had his son's best intentions at heart, and I loved the sacrifices he continued to make to ensure his son's every need was met. It was endearing and heart warming.

I enjoyed the secondary cast of characters, mainly Nadia's roommates, Angus, Lauren and Max. I thought overall the characters were outstanding.

After a bit of drama, I liked the way everything settled out and that things ended on a positive note. Even though this is the first in a series, this book can be read as a stand alone since each book in this series is a companion novel. No cliffhangers or nagging questions at the end of the this one, and it will leave you smiling.

And The Not So Much:

I was hoping that this NA read would charter some new territory, but alas, it fell into the same well worn treads we have come to associate with this genre. While it was a bit less dramatic than many of the NA books out there, it still had a broken character who falls in love and mends their heart. I really was hoping that Aguirre would branch out, but unfortunately this story is nothing new.

Speaking of the same old same old, this one also utilized the big dramatic scene just when things were on the up and up. I am not a fan of romances that throw in that a drastic upheaval right toward the end.

There are plenty of explicit sex scenes in this one, which is again par for the course when it comes to NA. I didn't like that this strayed into the TMI area and that at times, it became more about lust instead of love. I also didn't like that Nadia decided to enter into a sexual relationship by going with the friends with benefits, no strings attached agenda. You know that heartache will ensue.

I did't like that even though Nadia and Lauren are childhood best friends, once Nadia beings her relationship with Ty, she checks out of the friendship and doesn't take the time to uncover what is going on with Lauren. There was some obvious problems and I was expecting to learn more, but it was left dangling. The next book is Lauren's story so I am certain to get the answers then.

I Want It That Way was an entertaining and engaging story that hooked me with its great characters and solid story. However, I was disappointed that this one failed to take a new path and instead resorted to the typical NA story. Still it was a good book, and it didn't resort to angsty drama. If you are fan of the NA genre and you want something a bit on the little side, this is a good one to try.

Favorite Quotations:

"Life is messy and unpredictable; sometimes it's a punch in the gut, and sometimes it's so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes."

"Life is fireflies in your palm, gleaming gold, and then setting them free. In the best moments, life is fireworks. Sometimes life is having the rug pulled out from under you and the one you love helping you up. But most of all, life is what happens when you open the door and let beauty in, even if it doesn't fit according to your plans.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

11/22/2014

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by Kimba@ the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimba's for details and to link up!

I am so glad this week is over! It has been a roller coaster week. Last weekend, Risa and I got sick with what seemed like a cold. We recovered and then on Monday night Mateus told me his throat hurt. He woke up in the night with a croupy cough, and by the next morning his breathing was loud and raspy. By eleven in the morning I was concerned and called the doctor, and they suggested watching him, but a half an hour later it got worse so we made a mad dash to the doctor. Once we got there, they took one look at him and called the paramedics and an ambulance. Long story short, he spent the week in the hospital with some type of respiratory virus. The doctors weren't sure if it was croup, the enterovirus or something else. We were relieved when he took an up turn and we were able to bring him home on Friday. I am exhausted and behind on everything, so I apologize if I haven't returned comments and emails. I will catch up just as soon as I am rested and things are normal.

I hope you all had a better week.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and then the holiday season will be in full gear. I am kicking things off on Thursday afternoon by participating in the Black Friday Book Bonzana hosted by Kimba@ the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Jennifer @ The Book Shelfery. This is a holiday, book themed blog hop giveaway so hop around and enter some terrific giveaways. If you want to particpate head over to either of the host blogs and sign up!

11/21/2014

Yikes! One week from today, the shopping mayhem will officially kick off, even though they have been advertising Black Friday Sales all month. Do you go out and brave the crowds and risk a trampling or do you stay home with leftovers, a good book and a tablet or computer for some internet shopping? I am the latter. Next week's forecast is a bit light but there is a plethora of paranormal releases. Here are the highlights for next week's hot releases with a peek at the weather here in Oregon. Let's compare book picks and weather. (Click on the covers for details).

Forecast November 23rd-29th

Endsinger is my must read pick of the week. Love that series!

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday:H 50 L 39 Showers Sunday: H 48 L 39 Showers

Rain back in the forecast after a week of crisp and cold. No more ice adventures on my hill for this weekend.

11/20/2014

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire…

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

Audiobook

Published October 28th 2014 by HarperAudioSource: Purchased

Four and a half stars: Exciting, Thrilling, funny and oh so good!

Nevada Baylor at twenty five, is the primary investigator and main bread winner for her family and their business: Baylor Investigations. When Nevada is given a suicide mission by the man who holds the business mortgage, she has no choice but to go after the crazed, pyromaniac Adam Black, otherwise her family will lose everything. Just when things can't get any worse, Nevada is kidnapped by Mad Rogan, a man with immense power and a dangerous reputation. Nevada unexpectedly finds herself working with Mad Rogan to track down Adam Black, and no matter how hard she tries to convince herself that Mad Rogan is insane and dangerous, she can't squelch her inexplicable attraction. Can Nevada and Mad Rogan survive the suicide mission?

What I Liked:

Just what I needed.... a breath of fresh air with this solid, exciting and highly entertaining first book in a new series. I am ashamed to admit this is my first foray with Ilona Andrews, but after this exceptional read, it won't be my last. If you are craving a terrific Urban Fantasy book, grab this one.

This book has exceptional world building. It is set in our world, with one big difference. Back in the 1800s, a serum was developed that gave humans magical powers. Fast forward a couple hundred years, and you have world with humans who have some interesting talents. I enjoyed the detail with the world building, and I especially liked exploring this alternate version of the United States. The trip to the swampy portion of Houston was fascinating. The world building is expertly laid out with enough explanations to give you the big picture, but not so much that it burdens the story and slows the pace.

Along with outstanding world building you have an entertaining cast of characters. Nevada is a fierce, courageous, altruistic and kick butt heroine who is easy to like. I admired her determination, and I especially appreciated that she refused to let go of the reins and let some man sweep in and take care of her and all her problems, even though it was so tempting. Mad Rogan is a bad boy with lots of shades of gray. He may be a bit crazed, and he doesn't hesitate to kill when necessary, but underneath all the hype is a kind heart and someone who takes care of his own. I liked that he was complexed and layered. The secondary cast is just as entertaining as Nevada and Mad Rogan. I loved Nevada's family especially Grandma Frieda. It was nice to see the strong family bond. Even the villain is interesting, and at times a bit likable.

Lots of action and thrills in this one. I liked that the story moved quickly with plenty of danger. There is not a dull moment in this book.

I liked that there were bits of humor sprinkled throughout that lightened up the read.

I was pleasantly surprised with the romance or lack thereof. From the cover, I was expecting a steamy romance, but don't let the cover fool you, this one is a solid UF. There are the hints of a romance in the works and lots of sparks of attraction, but nothing concrete yet. Instead it is a tantalizing dance of antagonistic banter. I can't wait to see how this one plays out, and I so admired Nevada for the way she handled things.

Even though this is the first in the series, I was pleased to find that it had a solid conclusion. The main story line is concluded, but then at the end, there is a jaw dropping reveal that left me itching for the next book. I want it now!

And The Not So Much:

What is up with the cheesy cover? I actually hesitated requesting this one because it gave offa trashy romance vibe, but thankfully the cover is misleading. This is not a paranormal romance it is solid Urban fantasy. There is a hot kissing scene but nothing more, no ripping off of clothing or smexy time. So if you are going into this looking for a romance that matches the cover, you will be sorely disappointed.

I listened to the audiobook version and it took me awhile to settle in with the narrator. Renee Raudman narrates this book, and she does an excellent job, but for whatever reason, it took me some time to click with her voice. I also found that there was a lot of information to take in, and I struggled a bit keeping everything straight, I think this would have been a book better suited for reading for me rather than listening to it. Just a personal issue. If you are a visual learner, you may do better reading vs. listening.

Burn For Me was exceptional and outstanding read. I loved this action packed Urban Fantasy with terrific characters, exceptional world building, an exciting story line, and just a touch of romance. If you are on the hunt for something thrilling and wonderful, do yourself a favor and get this one immediately. Ignore the cheesy cover, it is an amazing read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

11/19/2014

The novel opens with the vampire world in crisis...vampires have been proliferating out of control; burnings have commenced all over the world, huge massacres similar to those carried out by Akasha in The Queen of the Damned... Old vampires, roused from slumber in the earth are doing the bidding of a Voice commanding that they indiscriminately burn vampire-mavericks in cities from Paris and Mumbai to Hong Kong, Kyoto, and San Francisco. As the novel moves from present-day New York and the West Coast to ancient Egypt, fourth century Carthage, 14th-century Rome, the Venice of the Renaissance, the worlds and beings of all the Vampire Chronicles—Louis de Pointe du Lac; the eternally young Armand, whose face is that of a Boticelli angel; Mekare and Maharet, Pandora and Flavius; David Talbot, vampire and ultimate fixer from the secret Talamasca; and Marius, the true Child of the Millennia; along with all the other new seductive, supernatural creatures—come together in this large, luxuriant, fiercely ambitious novel to ultimately rise up and seek out who—or what—the Voice is, and to discover the secret of what it desires and why...And, at the book's center, the seemingly absent, curiously missing hero-wanderer, the dazzling, dangerous rebel-outlaw—the great hope of the Undead, the dazzling Prince Lestat...

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published October 28th 2014 by Knopf Publishing GroupSource: Purchased

Five Stars: A sweeping, epic saga that delivers vintage Anne Rice.

A mysterious presence has been haunting the vampires. The old ones hear a niggling Voice that urges them to go out and burn the fledgling vampires, while the new vampires are compelled by the Voice to turn on one another. As the young vampires are burned and purged throughout the world, the old ones sit and do nothing. Every night, the young Benji, takes to the air waves and begs for a leader, pleads for one of the old ones to rise and help the young vampires. Where is Maharet? Mekare? Lestat? Marius? Someone must take the reins and lead the tribe or they all might perish. Who is behind the Voice? Who can save the damned?

What I Loved:

I began my love affair with Anne Rice back in 1994. At twenty one, I devoured her Vampire Chronicles Series, and I fell in love with the tragic, tenderhearted Louis. As a faithful fan, I read almost everything Anne Rice put out. Blood and Gold, in 2003, was the last book I loved. After that, I became a bit disenchanted with her work. It lacked something and it wasn't the same. Later, I learned her husband died at the end of 2002, which explained the reason for the drastic change in her writing. Needless to say, I lost a bit of my love for all things Rice, and in fact, I haven't read many of her latest books. It was with a bit of trepidation that I picked up Prince Lestat. Thankfully, I was thrilled with this book. Finally, a return to vintage Anne Rice. This had everything I loved about the series and more. It is a huge, saga that takes you through the vampire history, introduces you to countless characters and finally delivers a true sequel to one of my all time favorites: Queen of the Damned. If you are a connoisseur of Ms. Rices's Vampire Chronicles, I think you will be thrilled with this book.

Ms. Rice excels at creating legends and lore. This time out, she explores the long history of the vampires. Once again, you are transported back to that long ago age in Egypt when a strange spirit entered Queen Akasha and the vampire race was born. Since that age, countless blood drinkers have been created, and their history is long. Ms. Rice brings back all of the old players from the Chronicles and introduces new ones. I assure you, if you had a favorite vampire, they're are in this book. I loved reconnecting with all the characters and learning more about their history. My heart leaped for joy when Louis entered the scene. I have loved many of the vampires, but Louis stole my heart long ago, and he still remains my favorite. I only wish that Ms. Rice would write another book from his view point, as she mentioned in the book, "Louis is the tragic heart of the Chronicles."

A great deal of time is taken exploring the vampire existence. We are introduced to two vampire scientists: Seth and Fareed, who are attempting to unravel what makes a vampire tick. I loved learning more about how the vampires came into being. It was fascinating. Ms. Rice has once again refashioned the vampire condition. If you are a fan of vampire novels, I suggest you take some time and read Rice. She is the one credited for the rebirth of the current vampire craze and it all started back in 1976 with a little novel called Interview with the Vampire. Have you read it? If not do so. I consider Rice to be an expert on the vampire.

At last, I can say that I finally truly fell in love with Lestat. I have had my ups and downs with the Brat Prince over the years. He can be kind, considerate, funny or a royal pain in the ass. When he moped about and mired in his own misery, he drove me crazy. Thankfully, this time out, after a bit of moping (yes he mopes again), he matures and rises to the occasion and became a character I admired. Not to say that I didn't love him before, but now I do wholeheartedly, behind Louis of course. Lestat is finally showing maturity and wisdom, and I like that.

Even though it has been twenty years since I started the Vampire Chronicles, and eleven years since I read the last, I was amazed at how quickly I recalled details and characters as they reemerged in this book. Ms. Rice reaches back to the beginning and touches not only on all the main players in the Chronicles but she also reintroduces many of the secondary characters as well. I loved reconnecting with all the characters and reliving all the other books. If you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, do not go into this one, you will be hopelessly lost. Rice takes the time to provide an appendix at the end that recounts all the characters and their accomplishments, and there is a glossary at the beginning that defines all the terms in the book. It was a nice refresher.

Once again, there is a big focus on the philosophical issues of being a vampire as many of the vampires continue to struggle with their fate as they question whether or not they are damned and evil. I liked that this issue was finally resolved and the vampires, especially Louis, seem to have come to a conclusion and they are moving forward.

There were a couple of stunning developments as well as some important revelations that I have been waiting a long time to uncover. For instance, there is finally light shed on the mysterious Talamasca. At last, I learned the secrets to its foundation and who founded it. There are some other big secrets let loose that long time fans will be excited to learn.

The ending was perfect. I got the answers I wanted, and the main threads were tied off, and there were a few bread crumbs dropped for future installments. Yes, there are going to be more. Squeal! I cannot wait. This book was the first Rice book I have read in years that made me excited. I loved it, and it made me want to go back and reread all the other books in the series. If you are a fan of vintage Anne Rice, you must read this book.

And The Not So Much:

This book is vast and ambitious. It has numerous view points, so much so that it was a bit hard to keep track of everyone. Ms. Rice shifts through countless vampires as she reaches back to the beginning and brings for the Children of the Millennia, the original vampires, and recounts their offspring and so forth up to present time. Most of the vampires are known from previous books, but it was still a lot to wrap my head around. If you haven't read the series, you will be clueless. This is not a book you can pick up without a firm foundation. Furthermore, if you can't handle multiple view points and rapid narrator changes, you will likely struggle. I personally enjoyed connecting with all the vampires again. This is a sprawling book that requires patience.

Even though I loved meeting all the vampires, I was a bit perplexed at the end when I couldn't see the point in some of the narratives. I know to be patient while reading a Rice book, and I expected to see the big picture at the end, but I was left pondering on a couple of view points and wondering what was the point. I am hopeful that perhaps it was her way of introducing future narrators for further volumes in the Chronicles.

After all the time taken to meet and greet the vampires and then convene them all into a central location, I was expecting a bit more from the cast, but I was ultimately disappointed that most of them were nothing more than an audience. I was hoping for some type of epic confrontation, and what I got was a bit of a fizzle after all the buildup. Still I liked the new direction, and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.

I don't know why this is classified as horror. Perhaps forty years ago when the first book was published the series could be considered horror, but I assure you this is not a horror book. I consider this series to be Urban Fantasy. There is nothing in this book that is overly gory or bloody, in fact it is quite tame in comparison to many of the other vampire books out there, so don't shy away from this one because you are worried about it being horror, it's not.

Prince Lestat was a return to vintage Anne Rice. At last, Rice delivers a book that meets expectations. This is a riveting, vast and interesting saga that takes you back to the beginning and uncovers the origins of the vampires. This is a true sequel to Queen of the Damned. If you are a fan of the series, you will be thrilled to see all your favorite characters return. I was riveted by this one, and I closed the book content that Rice has found her muse again. I can't wait for more.

Favorite Quotations:

"Remember always," he said, "that nothing is as precious to us as the magnificent gift of life. Let the moon and the stars always remind you of this---that though we are tiny creatures in this universe, we are filled with life."

"I had never fully understood till that moment," said Teskhamen, "that we are the sum of all we've seen and all we've appreciated and understood. You were the sum of sunshine on marble floors filled with pictures of divine beings who laughed and loved and drank the fruit of the vine as surely as you were the sum of the poets and historians and the philosophers you'd read. You were the sum and the fount of what you'd cherished and chosen to abide and all you had loved."

I purchased a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.